NLL East Division Preview: Minnesota Swarm

Captain Andrew Suitor returns to the Swarm lineup after
missing most of last season with a knee injury. (Photo courtesy of
Minnesota Swarm)

2013 Record: 7-9

Playoffs: Sensational 20-11 first-round win in
Toronto in first round; lost to Rochester 12-10 in division
final

Skinny: Only Calgary scored more goals than
Minnesota last season.

Defensively, the Swarm ranked fifth in goals allowed. Everybody
on the team has to contribute in improving that ranking, coach Joe
Sullivan said.

"We have to get better defensively from the goalie (Tyler
Carlson) on out, and we'll put more onus on our offensive guys to
play smarter so we can have the ball in our sticks longer and
reduce the minutes the other team has the ball," Sullivan said.

Captain Andrew Suitor is ready to play again after missing most
of last season with a knee injury, and that is a big
plus.

Ryan Benesch, the team's all-time leading goal scorer, and
transition veteran Andrew Watt were traded to Buffalo for the
Bandits' 2015 and 2016 first-round entry draft picks in the ongoing
Swarm effort to stockpile futures that can be converted into
stars.

Minnesota had four first-round picks for the second year in a
row. Logan Schuss, Jason Noble, Cam Flint and Scott Jones will push
for lineup spots. Schuss and Noble are expected to win the Benesch
and Watt spots.

"It just makes it more competitive," Sullivan said. "Every
practice, every shootaround means something now. We don't have time
to wait and see if a guy's head is in the game or if he's in top
shape."

Schuss, the No. 1 overall draft pick out of Ohio State, won't be
able to replace Benesch, a former No. 1 pick, by himself.

"Ryan is a star in this league and Logan is coming in as a
rookie. He'll have to learn for a while like any rookie does,"
Sullivan said. "He'll help fill that hole, but it'll take a
committee to fill that hole."

Minnesota has advanced to the division final the last two years.
Sullivan is looking for more.

"We had our offseason meetings and met with each player to
assess how they did," Sullivan said. "Everybody has bought into the
fact that small things have to be done better. There has to be a
sense of urgency in games. I'm excited about our opportunity this
season with some of the young blood we have coming in. Our fans can
look forward to seeing a team with size, speed, youth and
athleticism. We're a team looking to get to the Champion's
Cup."